Mud Studio

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About

Located in a lush and narrow ravine, the studio overlooks the beautiful farmlands of the eastern Free State. Owners Werner and Philippa du Toit turned the once old and dilapidated mission station into a home resonating with their honest approach to life and design. The site catches every last bit of sunshine each day. It is a welcoming and much needed touch during the icy winter months, when numb fingers work with cold clay in the studio nearby. Inspiration is drawn from being connected to nature and the nuances of the surrounding landscape.

Mud’s elegant and earthy designs have won much international acclaim. Especially the chandeliers from Phillippa’s rural-empowerment clay-bead project. After being discovered in 2004 by Trevyn McDowell of Source in the UK, Mud Studio had the opportunity to start spreading its wings. Today Mud’s exquisite ceramics can be found in designer stores across the globe, like the Conran Shop in London and Anthropologie in Los Angeles. With praise from Oprah Winfrey and interest from people such as Jamie Oliver, Mud is carving out a name for itself. Due to the higher demand, pressure to mass produce has been rising. However, Mud Studios are committed to creating only handmade ceramics. The high unemployment figures in the area, it gives a special opportunity to support the local community. More and more people can be trained for positions.